Bollywood star downplays incident at U.S. airport

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, speaking Saturday in Rosemont at an Indian festival, downplayed being questioned at a U.S. airport, saying it was part of a necessary but unfortunate procedure.

Khan, one of the Indian film industry's biggest stars, is in the U.S. to promote his new film, "My Name is Khan," which is about racial profiling.

Indian movie star Shah Rukh Khan (right) meets a waxwork figure of himself in London on July 8, 2009. (AP / Zak Hussein)

He told Press Trust of India news agency that he was detained because his name came up on a computer alert list at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey.

However, U.S. customs officials told The Associated Press that Khan was questioned as part of a routine process that took 66 minutes.

"I told them I am a movie star," Press Trust quoted Khan as saying.

The reported detention made top news on TV stations in India and today drew protests throughout India. Fellow Indian film stars and political leaders condemned what they called "humiliating" treatment given to Khan, a Muslim who is well-loved in a largely Hindu country. One Cabinet minister suggested a "tit-for-tat" policy toward Americans traveling to India.

Angry fans in the northern city of Allahabad shouted anti-U.S. slogans and burned an American flag. In the Indian capital, New Delhi, a small group of photo-waving fans shouted slogans in support of Khan.

"Shocking, disturbing n downright disgraceful. It's such behavior that fuels hatred and racism. SRK's a world figure for God's sake. Get real!" actress Priyanka Chopra said on her Twitter feed.

The story was front-page news in India, where the ability to avoid being frisked at airports is seen as a status symbol. Politicians, sports celebrities and film stars often claim VIP status to avoid security checks.

"My name is Khan? Too bad. SRK (Shah Rukh Khan) feels the heat of American paranoia," said The Times of India, quoting Khan as saying he felt "angry and humiliated."

Khan told reporters in suburban Chicago on Saturday that he did not want an apology from the U.S. government.

Asked about what happened, he simply said: "I think it's a procedure that needs to be followed, but an unfortunate procedure."

Khan made his comments after appearing at an Indian festival in Rosemont and did not mention the incident in his remarks to the crowd.

U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection spokesman Elmer Camacho said Khan was not detained.

"His documents and papers were checked, which were found to be in correct order, but it took a little longer because his bag was lost by the airline."

Jen Friedberg, a spokeswoman for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates the airport, said the agency did not request that Khan be detained.

In New Delhi, U.S. Ambassador to India, Timothy J. Roemer, said the U.S. Embassy was trying to "ascertain the facts of the case -- to understand what took place."

"Shah Rukh Khan, the actor and global icon, is a very welcome guest in the United States. Many Americans love his films," Roemer said Saturday through an embassy spokesman.

Khan, 44, has acted in more than 70 films, and has consistently topped popularity rankings in India for the past several years.